Scrapping Bill 124, that cuts the real wages of health care workers, is the only right thing to do, protestors tell MPP MacLeod

OTTAWA, ON – Ottawa area hospital and long-term care workers protested today at the Nepean office of PC MPP Lisa MacLeod asking her to stand with them to push to repeal the Ford government’s wage legislation that cuts their wages and prevents them from bargaining badly needed mental health supports. They messaged Ms. MacLeod that…

Outside workers in Southwold and West Elgin join CUPE

Parents, workers launch public campaign to demand that Sioux Lookout council “ensure the continuity of vital services for families”, following the announced closure of two children’s centres

Sioux Lookout, ON—Parents, workers, and community members are launching a public campaign to demand that the Municipality of Sioux Lookout reverse their decision to close Biidaaban Children’s Centre and Sioux Mountain Children’s Centre that provide quality child care to more than 200 families in the region. “Many parents are rightfully concerned and disappointed by the…

Chronic short staffing, COVID-19 outbreaks compromise vital services for adults with developmental disabilities in Brampton

Brampton, ON—Developmental service workers in Brampton and Caledon call for adequate staffing and government support to address growing staff shortages, and safety concerns, in the region. “Chronic short staffing, coupled with inadequate funding compromises the quality of life of adults with developmental disabilities. We don’t have the staffing levels needed to ensure the safety of…

What is the government’s plan for schools without education workers during COVID?

TORONTO, ON – Education workers are demanding that the Ford government come up with a plan that ensures custodians, education assistants (EAs), school secretaries and others are able to stay on the job once schools reopen next week, says the union that represents 55,000 education workers in Ontario. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)…

Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement ignores the child care crisis in Ontario

Toronto, ON—The Ford Conservatives’ Fall Economic Statement fails families by continuing to ignore the importance of child care to our social and economic recovery. There was little mention of child care and no new, critically needed funding announced. Families and educators continue to wait for the Ford government to sign on to the federal child…

Sioux Lookout Mayor and Council take risky gamble on child care; exposes region to possible loss of crucial services in “child care desert”, reports CUPE

Sioux Lookout, ON—Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) members at Biidaaban and Sioux Mountain Children’s Centres are fearful of child care space loss after the Municipality of Sioux Lookout announces transfer of child care services to the Kenora District Service Board (KDSB). “At a time when child care is crucial for our COVID-19 economic recovery,…

New Ontario LTC Act misses opportunity for reforms needed for better resident care, stable workforce and no more profit in care

TORONTO, ON – With this new Ontario Long Term Care Act, the Ontario government has missed an opportunity to enhance resident care by stabilizing the workforce with a guaranteed increase to full-time jobs and universal, across the board wage increases, says Candace Rennick, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario, secretary-treasurer. “Equally egregious is not…